The story below started in September 2010 and took on a life of its own with a lot of people involved. It involves two dogs, Bear and Bosco, and it gets a little complicated, but here it is in the order it was posted. Thanks to people like you, they both have happy endings.
Sept 27 - Apparently the tough economic times in the St. Thomas area is forcing more people to give up their pets and placing them into the Pound. This, in turn, is creating more strain on volunteer resources and an even greater need for people with fenced back yards who can care for some of these former pets. For more info email Jo-Anne jojondogsco@sympatico.ca at the ACBR or call 519-633-6226.
Sept 30 - As if to drive home the point, a dog may have been abandoned in Dalewood Conservation Area after the owner, who had lost his job, fallen on hard times and was leaving St. Thomas, tried to leave it at the pound but did not have the $50 fee. The City would not waive the fee, and the owner threatened to release the dog out at Dalewood on his way out of town and may have done so. The dog’s name isBear, a German Sheppard/Lab mix, a house dog not familiar with fending for himself in a wild environment. If you should see the stray dog please contact Linda at 519-631-5607 or email the STDOAinfo@stdoa.ca.
Sept. 30 - A dog was abandoned in the parking lot of the St. Thomas Animal Shelter, left tied to the fence.
Update – Oct. 2 - Bear Found
The dog in question has been found and is now at the St. Thomas Animal Shelter, shown above, and is listed as a “stray.” It isn’t a very good picture but it is the best we’ve got. We erroneously reported above that the owner threatened to abandon the dog when he was at the pound. The facts as we understand them now is that the owner left the pound after not having the $50, later abandoned the dog at Dalewood, and phoned Lois at ABCR to tell her what he had done “after giving the dog a really good supper.” The owner felt he had no choice in the matter, having no money and having to get rid of the dog by 8 am the next morning for whatever reason. Apparently the owner felt he had no alternatives.
The offshoot of this is that the matter of the $50 surrender fee is going to be brought up at City Council, so perhaps some clarification of policy in hardship cases will be forthcoming.
Update – Oct 6
We want to thank St. Thomas City Council for their discussion of issues regarding the St. Thomas Animal Shelter on Monday night’s Oct. 4th meeting. In particular, we want to thank Aldermen Dave Warden, Heather Jackson-Chapman, Gord Campbell, and Mayor Cliff Barwick for doing some lateral thinking about how to make the best use of the resources we already have in these challenging times. Several resolutions were passed that may make the Shelter more accessible for people wanting to adopt pets, and incorporate the services of volunteer groups to augment services.
Comment – Bear and Bosco go to City Hall from The St. Thomas Dog Blog:
Well, Bear and Bosco, the recently dumped dogs, didn’t actually go to this past Monday’s City Council meeting but their presence was felt. St. Thomas has pledged to look at the operations of the City Animal Shelter and make it more “user-friendly” for the animals and the people who need its services. There has been a committee struck to assess and recommend changes at the Shelter. It will be comprised of City Aldermen, Shelter staff and representatives from the four animal rescue groups in town. At the meeting itself, changes were made. Approval was given for flea and upper respiratory treatment to be given to animals that need it so that they are healthy enough to be fostered or adopted sooner. Approval was given to extend shelter hours later in the evenings and on weekends so that it is easier for people to get there to see if their lost pets are there or to adopt one. Approval was also given to allow community members to volunteer at the Shelter during and outside office hours so that there is greater access for the public to come in and so that staff can focus on caring for the animals’ needs. Mention was made of the dog dumped at Dalewood and the one left tied to the Shelter fence. No mention was made of the surrender fee and circumstances in which it might be waived. But, all in all, Bosco and Bear caused a lot of talk and some real action to be taken in City Hall. They done good! Now, I hope a home for each of them is next.
Oct 23 – Update on Bear
The dog that was abandoned at Dalewood (see back up this page) is still at the City Pound (St. Thomas Animal Shelter). So if you know of someone that can use a dog, check it out. Their phone # is 519-631-7430. The clock is ticking…
Nov 2 – Bear finds a home
In a story filled with more twists and turns and personal involvement from people of all walks of life, we are happy to report that Bear has left the St. Thomas Animal Shelter and is on his way to the ABCR, and then to his new home. A foster home has been found.
Oct 2 – Bosco - update from Sept. 30.
This poor pathetic creature is the dog that was abandoned in the St. Thomas Animal Shelter parking lot, left tied to the fence, which was turned over to the ABCR and they took him immediately to a vet. So infested with fleas that his skin was in the condition you see here, this dog was in rough shape but is responding to vet treatment. ABCR will have to pick up the vet bill and try to get the dog in a foster home once he recovers. They have named him Bosco.
Nov 3 – Update on Bosco
We are happy to report that Bosco has been placed and is now with a family with young kids. He has been called a “super family dog.” He still has some physical recovering to do, but has come a long way from when he was left tied to the fence outside the St. Thomas Animal Shelter.
Nov 6 – Update on Bear
Bear today, in the front yard of his new home.
Both these dogs, Bear and Bosco, represent the kind of outcome that can result from community, in spirit and in deed. Well done, St. Thomas.
Feb 2011 – Update on Bear and Bosco
Bear shown at his new foster home in the evening light in December, 2010. And Bosco above right in Jan. 2011. Hard to believe it’s the same dog.